For Brian Olinger, Injury Opens Up a New World in Running

Aug 16, 2011

Olinger was fourth overall and the first American man in Sunday's seven-mile Falmouth Road Race. He earned $11,500 and his time

of 32:16 made him the third fastest American in the race's history, behind Alberto Salazar and Craig Virgin, who were, you know, good. Olinger has an 8:19 career best in the 3000-meter steeplechase but informs us, "I tore my plantar fascia at the 2010 USATF prelims in the steeplechase .... When it got diagnosed, I couldn’t train over the barriers for a long time. So I started training more like a 10,000m/half-marathoner. I did my first 100-mile week this year." And now, says Olinger, "I’m in the best shape of my life." He's had back problems, too, but says a therapist has taught him to "work at staying seated on my stride rather than lifting all the time, and it’s really helped." But he still might do a steeplechase in September. (photo of Brian Olinger by Jiro Mochizuki/Photo Run) More

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